Windup reel mechanism



May 26, 1970 I w. D. STOCKDALE ETAL 3,514,046

WINDUP REEL MECHANISM Filed Oct. 25, 1968 2 Sheets-Shee 1 May 26, 1970 Filed Oct. 25, 1968 w. D. STOCKDALE ET AL 3,514,046

WINDUP REEL MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 172061215715 wmmpamem %eflii J. JzZ/mw flq' d JWU, M, Walla! United States Patent 3,514,046 WINDUP REEL MECHANISM William Donald Stockdale, Arlington Heights, and Robert John Jurin, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 700,764 Int. Cl. B65]: 75/00 U.S. Cl. 242-64 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus including a pair of windup reels selectively positionable to be driven for winding up a str1p of material received from an adjacent processing apparatus.

The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for receiving an elongated element of stock material, and more specifically to a novel reel mechanism for winding up an elongated element or strip of stock material.

It will become apparent that features of the present invention may be adapted for winding up various elongated workpieces on reels. In the embodiment shown herein for the purposes of illustrating the invention, the apparatus is especially suitable for winding up a strip of sheet material stock received from a continuously operating strip processing apparatus. In installations where it is desired to store a workpiece issuing from a continuously operating apparatus on a reel or the like, it is ultimately necessary to change reels when one becomes filled. Such reels may be quite large and therefore difficult to handle and move when filled so that difiicultie's have been encountered in changing from one reel to another.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for winding elongated workpieces or strips upon reels, which apparatus is constructed so that the workpiece may be changed from one reel to another quickly and easily.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus usable in association with a continuous workpiece or strip processing machine and adapted to wind the workpiece or strip up on reels and to enable the workpiece to be changed from one reel to another without substantial interruption of the operation of the processing machine.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel reel mechanism for winding up an elongated workpiece or strip and constructed for facilitating doubling of an end portion of the workpiece initially wound on the real as is frequently desired when the workpiece is to be subsequently delivered to and fed through certain types of processing equipment.

A still further specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel windup reel mechanism of the above described type including drive means, a plurality of r0- tatable reel mounting means and means for selectively shifting the reel mounting means into operative engagement with the drive means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel windup reel mechanism of the above described type which is of simple rugged and relatively economical construction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a windup reel mechanism or apparatus incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but shows the manner in which a workpiece or strip being wound may be shifted from one reel to another;

11 Claims 7 "ice FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus as seen from the right side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a spring biased roller or drum included in the apparatus for initially winding up an end portion of the workpiece or strip prior to connection of the strip with a reel;

FIG. 5 is a partial fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 55 in 'FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a simplified view showing the manner in which a workpiece or strip may be started on a reel.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, an apparatus 10' incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and comprises a frame 12 adapted to be secured to a floor or support surface. The apparatus is to be located adjacent a workpiece or strip processing machine, not shown, from which a workpiece such as a continuous strip 14 issues. The apparatus includes means 16 for removably supporting reels 18 and 20 on which the strip 14 may be selectively wound. Drive means 22 is mounted on the frame 12 for selectively driving the reels in the manner described fully below.

The reel supporting mechanism comprises a pair of reel supporting spindles 24 and 26 respectively rotatably mounted in bearing units 28 and 30' carried at the outer ends of diverging arms 32 and 34. These arms are maintained in diverging relationship by a cross frame member 36 and inner ends are welded or otherwise fixed to a hub member 38 fixed to and for movement with a shaft 40. The shaft 40 is in turn rotatively or pivotally supported by a bearing unit 42 mounted on a horizontal portion 44 of the frame means.

The reel supporting frame comprising the members 32-36 is adapted to be shifted between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and located by stops 45 and 47 for selectively presenting the reels 18 and 20 for receiving the workpiece or strip 14. In order to shift the reels between these positions, a fluid pressure actuated cylinder 46 is fixed to a bracket 48 mounted on a lower portion of the frame means '12 and cooperates with a piston 50. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and .2, the piston is slidable between opposite ends of the cylinder and is fixed on and actuates an elongated flexible cable 52 which projects outwardly from opposite ends of the cylinder. The cable extends around pulleys 54 and 56 rotatably mounted on the bracket 48. Opposite ends of the cable are respectively connected by fittings 58 and 60 to opposite ends of a drive chain 62 which in turn encircles and drivingly engages a toothed sprocket wheel 64 fixed on the shaft 40. Thus, upon operating the double acting cylinder 46 to drive the piston 50 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2, the chain 62 is pulled in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 for shifting the reel 18 into position for receiving the workpiece or strip 14. Of course, opposite operation of the cylinder causes the reel to be shifted back from the FIG. 2 position to the FIG. 1 position.

The drive means 22 includes a motor '66 mounted on an upstanding portion 68 of the frame means and having a pulley 70 on an output shaft thereof drivingly engaging an endless belt 74. The belt in turn encircles and drives a pulley 76 on input shaft 78 of an adjustable speed reducing unit 80', FIG. 3.

The speed reducing unit is mounted on a fixed plate member 81 forming a part of the apparatus frame means 12. The unit may be of known construction and need not be described in detail. It suflices to state that the unit may be adjusted for driving an output shaft 82 thereof at any desired speed, which speed will be correlated with the rate at which the workpiece or strip emerges from the processing machine and the diameter of the material wound on a reel. In other words, the speed reducing and control unit 80 is such that a substantially constant lineal speed at the periphery of the material already wound on a reel may be maintained, which speed may be adjusted in accordance with the lineal speed of the material emerging from the processing machine.

The output shaft 82 of the speed reducing and control unit 80 carries a pulley 84 which drives an endless belt 86. The belt 86 extends around pulleys, 88, 90 and 92 rotatably mounted on the frame member or plate 81. These pulleys are located so that the belt 86 is maintained in driving engagement with the pulley 84 and so that a relatively long generally horizontally extending section 94 of the belt is positioned for selectively driving the reel spindles in the manner described below.

The reel spindles 24 and 26 respectively have fixed thereon drive wheel or pulley members 96 and 98. When the apparatus is adjusted so that the spindle 26 is in a raised operative position as shown in FIG. 1, the drive wheel or pulley 98 is in engagement with and driven by the section 94 of the endless belt 86'. Similarly, the drive wheel or pulley 96 is brought into operative engagement with the belt section 94 when the reel spindle 24 is moved to the raised position shown in FIG. 2. It is noted that the relatively long distance between the pulleys 88 and 90 and thus the long length of belt section 94 enables the reel spindle driving pulleys to engage the belt at spaced apart points. In other words, it is unnecessary to shift the reel supporting frame sufiiciently to selectively locate the spindles at exactly the same position for engagement with the belt section 94. To the contrary, the reel supporting frame need be pivoted only a minimum amount which facilitates the use of the simple and effective reel position actuating mechanism including the cylinder 46 described above.

The workpiece or strip 14 enters the apparatus around a guide roller 100 supported by a bracket 102 fixed to and extending above but outwardly from the frame member 81 as shown in FIGS. l-3. The strip is then passed through a tensioning device 104 comprising rollers 106 and 108 carried by a plate 110. The plate 110 is pivotally supported by pin 112 extending from the frame member 81. The strip which extends around and between the tensioning rollers 106 and 108 then is engaged by another guide roller 114 from which it extends to either the reel as shown in FIG. 1 or the reel 18 as shown in FIG. 2.

The reels 18 and 20 are of identical construction which may be varied widely in detail. In general, each reel comprises spaced apart opposite end flanges 116 and 118 secured to and radiating from a hub member 120. The hub member is adapted to slide onto and off of an associated reel supporting spindle and to be locked thereon for rotation therewith by a nut member 122 or other suitable device.

In certain instances, it is desired that an initial end portion of the workpiece or strip wound on the hub member of a reel be doubled. Thus, the apparatus is provided with means for temporarily winding up a desired length of the strip leading end portion and then connecting the strip with a reel whereon the initially wound length and following portions of the strip are doubled and simultaneously wound onto the reel. More specifically, a drum 124 is mounted on a forwardly extending end portion of the previously mentioned shaft 40 and is supported by suitable bearing units 126 for rotation relative to the shaft. A rotatable spring motor 128 of known construction is mounted on the frame and is connected by a cable 129 to a pulley 131 fixed to an end of the drum 124. The construction is such that when the spring motor 128 is wound or tightened, it is adapted to drive and rotate the drum 124 relative to the shaft 40 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4.

The drum 124 is releasably locked against rotation in the counterclockwise direction by means of a pawl 130 which engages ratchet teeth 132 on a ratchet disc 134 fixed to an end of the drum as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The pawl is pivotally supported by a pin 136 and is integral with or connected to an extension or lever 138 which is adapted to be manipulated for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet teeth and permitting the spring to drive the drum. The pawl is pivotally supported and the lever 138 extends in a manner such that gravity normally biases the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth. Thus, when it is desired to release the drum for rotation, an operator manually lifts the lever 138 or, in other words, pivots the lever and the pawl in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4.

The drum 124 is provided with lugs 140 or other suitable means for attachment to an end of the strip 14. When it is desired to wind a length of the strip onto the drum, the end of the strip is first connected to the lugs 140. Then the lever 138 is manipulated to release the pawl and the spring 128 serves to drive the drum substantially a predetermined number of revolutions so that the strip is wound thereon.

FIG. 6 shows in a simplified manner the procedure for connecting the workpiece or strip with a reel so that a doubled end portion of the strip will initially be wound onto the reel. More specifically, a section of the strip is first wound on the drum 124 in the manner previously described. Then an intermediate portion of the strip is manually pressed against the hub of an adjacent reel and is secured with respect to the reel by inserting a rod or pin 142 through apertures or slots 144 formed in opposite sides of the reel. Then the reel is shifted into engagement with the drive means in the manner previously described and is driven for winding up the doubled strip. As the strip is pulled from the drum, the spring motor is again tightened so that the drum is prepared for the next cycle.

When one reel has been filled, the strip is cut by suitable means, not shown, and the leading end is again connected to and wound on the drum 124. A mid portion of the strip is then connected with the other reel by means of the pin or rod 144 and the fluid cylinder 46 is actuated for shifting the empty reel into position to be rotated by the drive means. This, of course, disengages the filled reel from the drive means whereupon the nut 122 is loosened and the filled reel is removed and replaced by 7 another empty reel.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An apparatus for winding up an elongated workpiece on reels comprising a plurality of rotatable support means for removably supporting reels, drive means mounted adjacent said support means, means for selectlvely drivingly engaging one of said reel support means wlth said drive means for disengaging the other of said reel support means from said drive means, and means for shifting said rotatable support means laterally in opposite directions to alternately position reels supported thereby.

2. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises an endless drive element having an elongated section, and each of said reel support means includes a rotatable member engageable with said section so as to be driven thereby.

3. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotatable support means comprises first and second spindle means, frame means supporting both of said spindle means, pivot means supporting said frame means for pivotal movement for selectively locating said first sipndle means at operative and inoperative positions and said second spindle means at operative and inoperative positions, and means for shifting said frame means.

4. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said pivot means comprises a shaft, and said means for shifting said frame means comprises drive means connected with said shaft.

5. An apparatus, as defined in claim 4, wherein said last mentioned drive means comprises endless means connected with said shaft, and fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder means connected with said endless means.

6. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, which includes means mounted adjacent said reel supporting means for initially winding up an end portion of said workpiece, a mid portion of the workpiece being connectable with a reel for enabling a doubled layer of the workpiece to be initially wound on the reel.

7. An apparatus, as defined in claim 6, wherein said last named means comprises rotatable drum, and spring means for driving the drum in one direction for winding up the end portion of the workpiece, said spring means being tightened when said end portion is subsequently pulled from the drum and wound upon a reel.

8. An apparatus for winding up an elongated workpiece on reels comprising frame means, first and second spindles for removably supporting reels, carrier means supporting said spindles said carrier means being shiftable to move said spindles laterally in opposite directions, pivot means including a shaft pivotally mounting said carrier means on said frame means, said shaft being oppositely rotatable for selectively and alternatively locating said spindle means in first positions and in second retracted positions, actuator means connected with said shaft and shiftable in opposite directions for selectively pivoting the carrier means, and drive means mounted on said frame means and selectively engageable with the first and second spindle means when the spindle means are in their respective first positions.

9. An apparatus, as defined in claim 8, wherein said drive means comprises an endless drive member including an elongated section traversing said first positions of the spindle means, the first positions of said first and second spindle means being spaced apart from each other.

10. An apparatus, as defined in claim 8, which includes a drum mounted on and rotatable relative to said shaft and connectable with an end of the workpiece for initially winding the portion of the workpiece thereon, and spring means connected with said drum for rotating the drum to wind the portion of the workpiece thereon.

11. An apparatus, as defined in claim 10, which includes means for releasably locking said drum against rotation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS NATHAN LOUIS MINTZ, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,514,046 Dated May 26, 1970 Inventor(s) William D. Stockdale and Robert J. Jurin It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

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